A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 15 of 19)
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SPIRITUALITY
 The National Black Catholic Congress is an
evangelistic movement. Practicing Catholics need to be evangelized in order to
evangelize others. Our vision sees Black Catholics spiritually alive, combining
the richness of Black spirituality and the Catholic faith to revitalize our
Church, and restoring our community to provide a place of life for our children
and us.
The process of forming viable and vibrant faith
communities continues by responding to the divine call to evangelize. This
deepens our conversion to Jesus Christ and engages us in the mission of the
Church. Inculturation is an important part of evangelization so that the Gospel
engages people in their lived reality. Black spirituality is a worldview that
calls to who we are in Christ, our culture, history and cultural expressions,
which help us to live our Catholic faith wholeheartedly in daily life.
ACTIONS SINCE CONGRESS IX
§ Collaboration with the Institute of Black Catholic Studies of Xavier
University of Louisiana (hereinafter, IBCS) to develop a program to engage
participants in the vocation of discipleship and evangelization. This three-week
process invites participants to: (1) acknowledge their purpose for living as
revealed by the teaching of Christ and the Church; (2) awareness of the deeper
implications of being a follower of Jesus Christ within the fellowship of the
Catholic Church; and (3) practical ways of actively engaging in the mission of
the Church. The first part of this program was initiated on June 30, 2007.
§ Raising a conversation about Black Catholics at
their best, to affirm using the principles of Black spirituality to live the
Catholic faith in concrete ways. The commission contacted Offices of Black
Catholics to share information about their programming that promotes Black
Catholic spirituality in the areas of catechesis, Bible study, family life
programs, liturgy, stewardship programs, sacramental preparation, and other
ministries.
CONTINUING OUR SOLIDARITY IN ACTION (2007 - 2012)
Goal #1
National Goal: Calling all Black Catholics to live their Catholic faith
wholeheartedly, we propose an Institute for Black Catholic Spirituality in
collaboration with IBCS to revitalize our call to discipleship and
evangelization.
Steps to Achieve Goal #1
§ Design and implement an intense three-week program that incorporates the
principles of Black Spirituality, African rites of passage, and the Appreciative
Inquiry process, beginning with the IBCS 2007 program year.
§ Evaluate and plan the program with all involved
for IBCS 2008 program year.
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